Please refer to Child Protection and Welfare section of the Tusla Website for information on Child Protection and Welfare Policy and Practice, Guidelines for Developing a Child Protection Policy and information on Reporting Concerns. We have linked some of this information below.

Children First Act 2015 – full commencement on Dec 11th, 2017. This includes mandated reporting and the need for a Safeguarding Statement. Early years services will have until March 11th, 2018 to develop their Safeguarding Statement

Child Protection and Welfare Training for Early Years Services in Roscommon

Since January 2014, a standardised child protection training course is available to workers in the Early Years sector. The first level of training available is Child Protection & Welfare: Basic/Foundation Level and it is delivered by the Childcare Committees. Within Roscommon County Childcare Committee, Irene Cafferky is responsible for delivering this training.

The one-day accredited training course looks at what constitutes child abuse, roles and responsibilities in reporting child protection and welfare concerns, child protection policy and safe work practices. Many of the participants in the pilot programme reported increased knowledge, skills and confidence in responding to child protection and welfare concerns after attending the course.

Roscommon County Childcare Committee runs several Child Protection and Welfare Training courses each year. These courses are advertised through our Training Calendar and by direct email to Early Years (Childcare) Services.

The eligibility criteria is set by Tusla and the National Early Years Children First Committee. The training is only available to staff in Early Years services and to childminders.

Students, parents and members of the public do not qualify for training.

Tusla has developed a presentation which may be of interest to individuals who do not qualify to participate on the Child Protection and Welfare training for Early Years services.

Tusla Children First National Guidance 2011 Presentation

Tusla Children First National Guidance 2011 Presentation provides an overview of key elements of Children First and organisational roles and responsibilities for safeguarding the children in their care. Organisations may use the presentation in a number of ways:
– Staff can view the presentation as part of induction training.
– Staff can view the presentation to prepare for attending Child Protection and Welfare Training. This presentation is not an alternative to Child Protection and Welfare Training.